Washington SchoolKindergarten

The Kindergarten Year• A year of tremendous growth• Focus on the whole child in kindergarten• Foster academic, social, emotional and

behavioral growth• Early in the year - focus on getting used to

school and routines• Social skills still developing – teachable

moments• It is exciting and overwhelming at times!

Kindergarten Curriculum

Language Arts

• Learning to Read(phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, high-frequency words)

• Print Concepts

• Appreciation of Literature

• Writing

• Handwriting

• Listening

• Speaking

Five Essential Elements of Reading

1. Phonemic Awareness

2. Phonics

3. Fluency

4. Vocabulary

5. Comprehension

1. Phonemic Awareness

• Discriminate and manipulate sounds

• Examples of PA activities• What is the beginning sound in tan?• What is the ending sound in big?• Which two words begin with the same sound?• Which words rhyme?• What are all of the sounds in hit?

2. Phonics• Connecting sounds to letters in print• Recognizing letters and sounds• Blending sounds• Alphabet taught in a unique order that is

research based• First, a few consonants are taught, then a vowel,

and then blend these sounds to build words.• Focus on short vowel words

3. Fluency• Ability to quickly decode words or recognize

sight words to make text flow smoothly (comes after lots of practice!)

• Teacher read-aloud, small group, whole class, and individual or partner.

• Stories read more than once to help children become more fluent readers.

Sight Words• 40 kindergarten sight words

• Students are to know them without sounding them out

• “Just Know it Words”

4. Vocabulary• The more words students acquire, the better

chance they will have for success in reading and writing.

5. Comprehension

• Retelling • Comprehension questions and discussion

• Elements of literature (characters, setting, …)

• Variety of literature types

• Include all curricular areas (math, social studies, science, …)

Assessment• Benchmark tests

• Observation

• Check ups on taught skills every 2 weeks

• End of semester cumulative summaries

• MAP testing (Measures of Academic Progress)

• DIBELS testing (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)

Writers’ Workshop• Reciprocal to reading

• Sessions begin with group mini-lesson and then students write independently

• 3 Genres taught– Narrative– Report– Functional (“How To …”)

• Examples of mini-lessons:– Orienting print from left to right– Using end punctuation– Leaving spaces between words– Adding details

Handwriting• Peterson Handwriting Program

• Exposure to correct letter and number formation

• Correct posture

• left-to-right orientation

• Pencil grip

• Fine motor activities to enhance

Math• Calendar/Counting Math• Scott Foresman Investigation Series• Explore with manipulatives

– Pattern blocks– Geoblocks– Connecting cubes– Play money– Buttons– Attribute blocks

Math Skills Explored

– Identifying and extending patterns– Identifying numbers up to 20– Writing numerals correctly up to 10– Counting to 30 with one to one correspondence– Ordering numbers– Grouping by 1s, 10s, and 100s– Comparing sets and lengths– Adding and subtracting– Graphing– Measuring– Problem solving– Time – Money

Social Studies• Explores self and others

• Introduces ideas of history, economics, geography, civics and govt. through developmentally appropriate activities

• A focus on events in our nation’s history and cultures in other parts of the world

• Taught through literature, artifacts, field trips, speakers,…

Character Education:Heartwood Program

• Monthly attributes are featured through stories, discussion and activities

• Sept./Oct. – Respect• November – Honesty• December – Love• January – Justice• February – Courage• March – Loyalty• April - Hope

Olweus Bullying Olweus Bullying Prevention ProgramPrevention Program

• School-wide program

• Kindergarten focus on being a good friend– Bullying-related books– Class discussions

Science• ASSET unit focusing on trees • Seasonal changes, wetlands, seeds and

plants• Hands-on activities, field trips, models,

artifacts, speakers, investigations, …• Science skills include:

– Observing - Reflecting– Predicting - Collecting data

- Drawing conclusions

Technology• LEXIA and Starfall programs to support

early reading

• Various math sites to practice math skills of patterning, matching, adding, …

• Sites to provide information and games on social science concepts (recycling, animals, insects, birds, artists, …)

• Taught by classroom teacher

• Music and art are a part of every kindergarten day

• Gym time once a week

• Library class once a week with Mrs. Egg

Special Subjects

Class ScheduleClass Schedule* This typical schedule may vary due to special programs. Computer, art, and

social studies and science are integrated throughout the day.

• Opening – Welcome song - Kindergarten News– Pledge of Allegiance - Review of daily schedule

• Calendar/Counting Math – Days and months - Date– Days of school - Number of students in attendance– Writing numbers - Patterns on the calendar

• Phonemic Awareness

• Music

• Literature Lesson/Library Class

Class Schedule cont.Class Schedule cont.• Learning Center Activities

– Class moves into small-group or independent learning activities

– Teacher facilitated small group phonics lesson– Theme related activities utilizing art, math or science,

fine motor, computer, and writing skills

• Recess/Gym

• Writers’ Workshop/Math Workshop

• Pack up/Dismissal

Miscellaneous Information

• Backpacks• Paper books• Recess• Field Trips• Student Absences• Communication• School Drop-off• Birthdays

• News/Show & Tell

• Rules/Behavior• Parties• Dismissal• Toys• Conferences• Guest Readers• Open House